Liguori Academy Named Semifinalist for the Yass Prize
Liguori Academy, an innovative independent high school, has been named a Semifinalist for the prestigious Yass Prize. Chosen from a field of more than 2,000 organizations, this recognition underscores the school’s ongoing commitment to transforming education so every student has a real chance to succeed. It’s a meaningful nod to the work happening every day in Liguori’s classrooms and support spaces.
Removing Barriers So Every Student Can Learn
Founder and President Michael Marrone often notes that traditional school models don’t serve every learner. Liguori Academy exists to meet those students where they are. The school builds an environment grounded in Boundless Love and Opportunities, pairing strong academics with personalized supports. Through programs designed around each student’s needs—and the steady encouragement to try, reflect, and try again—Liguori helps young people tap into their strengths and reach their full potential.
Why the Yass Prize Matters
Called by many the “Pulitzer Prize for Education Innovation,” the Yass Prize highlights organizations that significantly improve how students learn. Its focus is clear: Sustainability, Transformation, Outstanding practices, and Permissionless methods. In other words, it celebrates schools and programs that can endure, that spark real change, that do excellent work, and that remove unnecessary barriers so solutions can move quickly to students.
A Whole-Student Approach at Liguori Academy
Learning at Liguori extends beyond core subjects. Students engage in social-emotional learning, receive postsecondary guidance, and take employer-informed coursework that connects classroom skills to real careers. Graduating from Liguori means more than earning a diploma. Students leave with a plan, practical know-how, and the confidence to take their next step—whether that’s college, training, or a job.
Advancing Educational Equity
Established by Janine and Jeff Yass, the Yass Prize aims to reduce educational inequities and direct resources where they make the most difference for students. Liguori Academy shares that mission. The school is building a strong network of educators committed to exchanging ideas, refining practices, and elevating what works—so improvements ripple out to more students, more quickly.
A Lifeline for Resource-Challenged Youth
Inspired by the life of Alphonsus Liguori, the academy serves some of the most resource-challenged youth in the community. No student is denied admission based on financial need. That commitment to inclusivity turns access into action, offering families a school where opportunity is not conditioned on ability to pay, but on a student’s willingness to learn and grow.
Growth to Date—and What’s Next
Since opening its doors in 2016, Liguori Academy has grown steadily and earned trust through results that matter to students and families. Being the only school selected in Philadelphia for the Yass Prize is a notable milestone—and a motivator. It adds momentum to the academy’s next set of goals and the daily work of helping each student move forward.
About Liguori Academy
Founded in 2016, Liguori Academy is reimagining high school with equal attention to college readiness and career preparation. The school serves students from low-income backgrounds and works to meet their full range of educational needs. Financial sustainability is supported by generous donors and participation in tax credit programs, ensuring the mission can continue and expand. For more information about Liguori Academy, including options to donate or enroll, please visit their official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Yass Prize?
The Yass Prize recognizes innovative education organizations that deliver meaningful learning experiences for students. It emphasizes Sustainability, Transformation, Outstanding practices, and Permissionless approaches—principles that help effective solutions reach students faster and last longer.
Who founded Liguori Academy?
Liguori Academy was founded in 2016 by Michael Marrone, with support from Janine and Jeff Yass.
What sets Liguori Academy apart from traditional schools?
Liguori focuses on the whole student. Alongside strong academics, the school offers social-emotional learning, postsecondary support, and employer-informed coursework that connects school to real-world opportunities.
What programs does Liguori Academy offer?
Students benefit from a college- and career-ready curriculum, targeted social-emotional supports, and learning experiences shaped by employer input—so what they study aligns with life after graduation.
How does Liguori Academy support low-income students?
No student is denied admission based on financial need. Donors and participation in tax credit programs help sustain this commitment and keep access to a high-quality education within reach.
